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HelpTest Code MA Microalbumin, Urine, 24HR or Timed Overnight (24 MA)
Useful For
The urinary albumin level is an excellent predictor of progression to nephropathy in both insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes. Measurement of albumin excretion in an overnight collection of urine is generally considered the best measurement; however, 24 hour urines and random urines may also be used.
Synonyms/Keywords
24 MA, Albumin/Creatinine ratio, Microalbumin-random urine, Albumin in urine
Specimen Requirements
| Fasting Required | Specimen Type | Preferred Container/Tube | Acceptable Container/Tube | Specimen Volume | Specimen Minimum Volume (allows for 1 repeat) |
Pediatric Minimum Volume (no repeat) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Urine, Overnight or 24 hour | 10 mL urine aliquot tube | Sage cup | 10 mL | 6 mL | 3 mL |
Collection/Processing Instructions
Collect an overnight (typically 8 hour, starting in the evening and ending in the morning) urine sample without preservative, recording the duration and total volume.
Unpreserved 24 hour urine specimens are also acceptable.
Times for 24 hour collection should be between 22-26 hours.
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Urine | Refrigerate | 7 days |
Rejection Criteria
| Frozen samples |
|---|
| Specimens collected with acid preservatives |
| Specimens from patients with urinary tract infections, or exhibiting significant bacterial growth |
Test Components
Albumin and creatinine
Interpretations
Microalbuminria is a reversible condition characterized by increased urinary excretion of albumin in the absence of overt proteinuria. It occurs in diabetic and hypertensive patients and is generally treatable by blood pressure-lowering medications. Using this therapy, progression to an irreversible state of macroalbuminuria can be prevented or delayed for a decade or more. Conventional dipstick and acid precipitation tests for detecting protein in urine lack the sensitivity required to delineate this condition. Dipsticks may yield negative results even when the albumin excretion rate is 10 or 20 times normal. Nephelometry enables sufficient sensitivity to detect albumin at these levels.
Reference Range Information
| Performing Location | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| All Performing Sites |
AER (overnight collection): 0-20 ug albumin/minute Albumin/24 hours (24 hour collection): 0-30 mg albumin/24 hours |
Marshfield Labs Performing Department
Marshfield Labs Chemistry
Performing Information
| Performing Location | Day(s) Test Performed | Analytical Time | Methodology/Instrumentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Dam | Monday through Sunday | 6-8 hours | Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU |
| Eau Claire | Monday through Sunday | 6-8 hours | Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU |
| Ladysmith | Monday through Sunday | 6-8 hours | Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU |
| Marshfield | Monday through Sunday | 6-8 hours | Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU5800 |
| Minocqua | Monday through Sunday | 6-8 hours | Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU |
| Park Falls | Monday through Sunday | 6-8 hours | Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU |
| Rice Lake |
Monday through Sunday | 6-8 hours | Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU |
| Weston | Monday through Sunday | 6-8 hours | Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU |
CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82043 | ||||
| 82570 |
Outreach CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82043 | ||||
| 82570 |
Ordering Applications
| Ordering Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Cerner | Microalbumin, Urine, 24HR or Timed Overnight |